The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is happy to welcome two new State Directors for the state of Wyoming: brother and sister duo, Phillip and Linda Dobkins.
The CMP appoints State Directors to oversee marksmanship programs in each of the 50 states. The mission of the State Directors is to provide leadership, resource and program information, coordination, networking, motivation and publicity for junior shooting within their state.
Raised in Laramie, Wyoming, Phillip and Linda Dobkins have been active in marksmanship most of their lives through competition and coaching. The pair even started their own youth shooting sports program in nearby Cheyenne.
“The logical next step was to start hosting matches and helping other clubs grow,” Linda explained of their involvement in youth shooting sports. “We checked with the CMP and found that the State Director position was currently vacant for Wyoming, so we both applied.”
“Participation in junior smallbore/air rifle competitions have dropped recently, and that prompted me to contact the CMP about upcoming matches,” Phillip added. “Since I’m also head coach of my own program, I felt I could really help boost participation and match sponsorship by becoming State Director and providing leadership to other clubs in the state.”
About Phillip Dobkins:
Phillip Dobkins began participating and competing in USA Shooting, CMP and NRA sanctioned events through the local 4-H program in Laramie, Wyoming, around age 12. He continues to practice and compete in smallbore/air rifle, pistol, BPCR, shotgun and muzzleloading rifle.
A certified Level 3 Advanced Rifle Coach and a Distinguished Expert in the Winchester Pistol Program, Phillip is also a USA Shooting Wyoming State Rifle Champion and a Wyoming State 4-H Champion in Rifle and Pistol. In the past, he has earned a spot in the prestigious President’s 100 as one of the top 100 competitors of the annual Camp Perry National Matches President’s Match.
“My goals are to advance youth shooting sports in the State of Wyoming,” he said of his intentions as a CMP State Director. “I’d like to grow the number of clubs and sanctioned matches over the next two years, and I’d also like to see more participation from Wyoming clubs at the national level.”
Outside of marksmanship, Phillip participates in martial arts, camping, hunting, fishing and blacksmithing. He’s married with two daughters, who are also active in USA Shooting, NRA and CMP competition.
Contact Phillip Dobkins at xcaliberjsa@yahoo.com or 307-214-7823.
About Linda Dobkins:
Linda Dobkins has lived in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the past 20 years. Growing up, her family was always active in the outdoors through big game hunting, fishing and camping. Like Phillip, she’s been involved in shooting sports from a young age and continues to stay involved as an adult in rifle, pistol and shotgun competitions.
A Distinguished Expert in the Winchester Pistol Program, Linda is certified as a Level 3 Advanced Rifle Coach – having collectively led rifle, pistol and muzzleloading rifle training over her career.
“I noticed clubs that had once been active in the state were not there anymore. Some of the youth competitions that had once taken place in Wyoming were also not being scheduled,” she said of becoming a CMP State Director. “I’d also like to see the number of Wyoming clubs increase – not only in rifle, but also in other disciplines.”
In her homelife, Linda is a graduate of the University of Wyoming and is employed as a civil engineer. Her hobbies outside of marksmanship include ice hockey, marital arts and travel.
Contact Linda Dobkins at cmpwy@thecmp.org or 307-399-4065.
CMP State Directors:
State Directors all over the country are always available and open to questions, comments or concerns. Find out who your CMP State Director is by visiting https://thecmp.org/training-tech/state-director/.
If you’re interested in becoming a CMP State Director, we’re still in search of leaders for Tennessee, Delaware and Vermont! Visit https://thecmp.org/training-tech/state-director/ to fill out an application today.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.
